Beveren, Belgium, September 6, 2017. Asterix Avo BEVEREN is a club with a rich history, and many achievements to their credit. They have claimed the Belgian women’s national league as many as 11 times, the national cup 14 times, and they are the winners of the 2001 Top Teams Cup - all this accounts for an impressive record indeed.

They have participated in the European Cups since 1994, but the year 2017 will mark their first ever appearance in the elite CEV Volleyball Champions League.

Asterix Avo are somehow the breeding ground for the Yellow Tigers, the national team of Belgium. It is indeed a strategic policy of the club to focus on the development of young players, and give them maximum opportunity to grow into top-level Volleyball players. The driving force behind this development is head coach Gert Vande Broek, who has been holding this position for 25 years.

“Participating in the Champions League is very important. It gives the opportunity to our young players to learn a lot. Playing against top teams is an excellent experience. It will also mark an additional step towards the professionalization of the club’s organisational structure,” he said.

The oldest player on the team is 27-year-old setter Jasmien Biebauw. She is thrilled with the participation in the European top-class competition. She says that after having played the World Grand Prix, the European Championships and the World Championship qualifications with the Belgian national team, entering this top-level competition with her club team makes her Volleyball career even richer.

The Drawing of Lots provided Asterix Avo with the shortest possible trip for their first game, to their neighbours of SLIEDRECHT Sport, the reigning national champions of the Netherlands. On Tuesday, October 17, the away match will take place in their brand new sports hall, and the return game in Belgium will follow on Saturday, October 21. For SLIEDRECHT Sport it is also their first participation in the Champions League, so everyone is looking forward to two open and exciting matches.